David Penny Books in Order

How to Read the Thomas Berrington Historical Mysteries

David Penny's signature creation is Thomas Berrington, an English surgeon-detective who navigates complex political intrigue, brutal crimes, and shifting loyalties. The character spans two distinct eras: the final days of Moorish Spain (al-Andalus) and the rise of Tudor England. Because of this, the series is divided into two primary subseries, accompanied by a prequel that details Thomas's early life.

For the best reading experience, readers have two options: Publication Order or Chronological Order. While reading chronologically is rewarding, starting with the publication order is highly recommended for newcomers. Reading publication order allows you to experience the evolution of Thomas's character and his iconic partnership with the Spanish eunuch Jorge as the author originally intended.

Recommended Starting Point

The best place to start is The Red Hill (2014), the first published novel in the Moorish Spain sequence. Starting here plunges you directly into the sun-drenched, chaotic atmosphere of Malaga and Granada during the Reconquista, establishing the series' core themes, medical grit, and the central relationship between Thomas and Jorge. If you prefer to trace Thomas's life from his childhood in England, you can start with the prequel novella, A Death of Innocence, though it was written and published much later in the series' run.

The Thomas Berrington Series in Chronological Order

If you want to follow Thomas Berrington's life step-by-step from his youth on the English Marches through his adventures in Moorish Spain and his eventual return to England during the Tudor dynasty, use the chronological order below:

1. A Death of Innocence (Prequel novella set in 1453 England; Thomas is 13 years old)
2. The Red Hill (Set in 1482 Spain; the siege of Malaga)
3. Breaker of Bones (Set in 1483 Spain; Cordoba)
4. The Sin Eater (Set in 1484 Spain; Seville)
5. The Incubus (Set in 1486 Spain; Thomas is summoned back to Granada)
6. The Inquisitor (Set in 1488 Spain; dealing with the rise of the Spanish Inquisition)
7. The Fortunate Dead (Set in 1488 Spain; plague sweeps the camps)
8. The Promise of Pain (Set in 1489 Spain; a mystery during a brutal winter siege)
9. The Message of Blood (Set in 1490 Spain; uncovering corruption within the military ranks)
10. A Tear for the Dead (Set in 1492 Spain; the fall of Granada and the end of Moorish rule)
11. Men of Bone (Tudor subseries Book 1, set in 1521 England; Thomas and Jorge arrive in London)
12. A Death of Promise (Tudor subseries Book 2, set in 1522 London)
13. The Hidden Dead (Tudor subseries Book 3, set in 1523 London)
14. The Beasts of the City (Tudor subseries Book 4, set in 1524 London)
15. A Surfeit of Grief (Tudor subseries Book 5, set in 1525 London)

The Thomas Berrington Series in Publication Order

Reading in publication order allows you to enjoy the mysteries in the sequence they were written, tracking David Penny's growth as a historical novelist. Note that the prequel, A Death of Innocence, was published in 2020 after the eighth main novel, The Message of Blood.

Part 1: The Moorish Spain Mysteries

• The Red Hill (2014) – Introduces Thomas Berrington, a brilliant surgeon practicing in Malaga, who is reluctantly dragged into investigating a series of gruesome murders.
• Breaker of Bones (2015) – Thomas and Jorge travel to Cordoba, where they must hunt down a serial killer targeting young women in the Christian territory.
• The Sin Eater (2016) – Set in Seville, Thomas is tasked with uncovering a conspiracy within the Church while dealing with personal losses.
• The Incubus (2017) – Thomas returns to Granada to treat the Sultan, only to find himself entangled in a web of palace executions and assassinations.
• The Inquisitor (2018) – Thomas faces the growing shadow of the Inquisition as he tries to protect those close to him from religious persecution.
• The Fortunate Dead (2018) – As the siege of Granada intensifies, Thomas struggles against a plague outbreak and a killer hiding in the quarantine zones.
• The Promise of Pain (2019) – A winter truce brings no peace as Thomas investigates a murder that threatens to break the fragile ceasefire.
• The Message of Blood (2020) – An old enemy returns, forcing Thomas to make impossible choices to protect his family.
• A Death of Innocence (2020) – A prequel novella detailing thirteen-year-old Thomas's first murder investigation in Hereford, England, in 1453.
• A Tear for the Dead (2020) – The final chapter of the Spanish sequence, depicting the historic surrender of Granada and Thomas's departure from Spain.

Part 2: The Tudor England Mysteries

This sequel series picks up decades later. Thomas and his companion Jorge return to a changed England under King Henry VIII, dealing with new political landscapes and dangerous urban mysteries.

• Men of Bone (2021) – Thomas and Jorge arrive in London in 1521, only to find themselves investigating a murder at the behest of Cardinal Wolsey.
• A Death of Promise (2022) – A mystery surrounding the London guilds and the royal court test Thomas's forensic and surgeon skills.
• The Hidden Dead (2023) – The discovery of a body in the Thames leads to a conspiracy stretching from the slums to the palace walls.
• The Beasts of the City (2024) – Thomas investigates murders inside London's notorious prisons and sanctuary zones.
• A Surfeit of Grief (2025) – Thomas deals with personal grief while trying to resolve a complex blackmail scheme targeting prominent courtiers.

David Penny's Other Projects and Pen Names

While best known for his historical fiction, David Penny is a versatile writer who has written across multiple genres. He began his career in the 1970s with science fiction, publishing novels like The Sunset People (1975) with Robert Hale, before taking a long hiatus to work in print and software. When he returned to writing, he also branched out into other genres under both his own name and a slight variation.

Unit-13 (Paranormal WWII Spy Thrillers)

Published under his regular name, this series blends historical wartime espionage with paranormal elements. The series begins with An Imperfect Future (2021) and follows Calum Auger, a Lancaster bombardier who can see a few seconds into the future. After a crash, Calum is recruited into Unit-13, a covert British agency composed of individuals with psychic gifts who work to stop Nazi occult and scientific operations during World War II.

Wilde and Ward (Contemporary Crime Thrillers)

Writing under the pen name D.G. Penny, the author writes contemporary police procedurals set in modern England. The series follows rookie DC Izzy Wilde and her seasoned partner DS Jack Ward. The first installment, The Murder Trail (2023), sees the duo chasing a serial killer after a baby goes missing from a remote farm crime scene.

What to Know Before You Start

David Penny's historical mysteries stand out due to their realistic depiction of medieval medicine. Because Thomas Berrington is a surgeon, the novels contain detailed, sometimes graphic descriptions of 15th-century medical procedures, amputations, and anatomy. This realism adds a unique flavor to the detective work, reflecting the author's extensive research into Islamic and European medical history of the era.

Furthermore, the relationship between Thomas and Jorge is the emotional anchor of the series. Jorge, a eunuch who serves as Thomas's bodyguard, companion, and foil, brings a dry wit and protective presence that balances Thomas's often melancholy nature. The transition from Spain to Tudor England in Men of Bone marks a major shift in setting, language, and cultural norms, showing how both characters adapt to aging and a homeland that feels entirely foreign to them.